But ultimately, it's the choice of major and type of degree that most affects yourreturn on investment.
Students who pursue a degree specifically in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or economics — mostly STEM disciplines — earn the most overall,according to a new analysis of bachelor's degrees and median earnings by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Workers in those fields have an annual income of $100,000 or more, the report found.
Alternatively, those with degrees in education, elementary education, fine arts, family and consumer sciences and social work had annual earnings of less than $60,000.
In all cases, men earn more than women, the Census Bureau found. For example, women with computer science degrees earned $91,990, while men earned $115,500. Among economics degree holders, women earned $84,750 while men earned $107,300.
"This career inequity begins immediately when women enter the workforce and continues at every juncture," said Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez, host of the "Money Confidential" podcast.
Consider the return on your academic investment
Ultimately, getting a college degree typically pays,studies show.
Bachelor's degree holders generally earn75% morethan those with just a high school diploma, according to The College Payoff, a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
However, it's important to consider your area of study before taking outstudent loansto pay for college, said Robert Franek, editor in chief of The Princeton Review.
"Just as a rule of thumb, students shouldn't take on more debt than they expect to earn their first year after graduation," he said.
At the very least, that "forces the conversation of what is going to be the real return on my academic investment."
Although you frequently argue that many non-STEM degrees are useless, there's a reason universities offer the majors they do. Some may be more niche, but there are hundreds of jobs out there for all of us, from engineering majors to film students.
The only STEM major that paid less than $70,000 by mid-career was Nutrition Sciences. With the only non-STEM degrees in the top 25 for salary average being Economics (#14), Finance (#16), and Business Economics (#21).
A seven-figure job refers to the number of digits listed in your salary. This includes people who earn anywhere from $1 million to just under $10 million per year. Many people may consider this salary range to be well above average.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Biochemistry and molecular biology students take courses in biological sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, computational biology, mathematics, and ecology. ...
What are the college majors that are the least-regretted? The study, broken down, provided a stark contrast between majors and their projected earnings. For the students that followed degrees in engineering, science, technology, and math - all were expected to earn the most out of all other majors overall.
Engineering degrees are a common theme on this list. Engineering involves the practical application of math and science, primarily physics, to solve everyday problems. Chemical engineering is a subset with a heavy focus on chemistry. This major is consistently one of the highest-paying.
(NerdWallet) – Majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) isn't the only way to land a job that makes college worth it. A liberal arts degree can pay off, too — but you may need to put in more legwork than a STEM major would.
Engineering degrees took nine out of 10 spots on the list of the 10 highest paying college majors, five years after graduation. No surprise, majoring in engineering and finance yields the biggest paydays five years after graduating college, while majoring in liberal arts or performing arts pays the least.
A non-STEM major is a major that isn't in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. This means non-STEM majors include those in business, literature, education, arts, and humanities.
Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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